Al Hilal Loans Darwin Nunez to Al Diriyah as Karim Benzema Denies Transfer Rumors

Al Hilal has loaned Darwin Nunez to newly promoted Al Diriyah for the 2026–27 season, just a year after signing him. This decision comes as Karim Benzema has denied rumors regarding a potential transfer back to European soccer.

Nunez joined Al Hilal in August 2025 following a high-profile transfer from Liverpool, where he had previously been signed for nearly $100 million. However, his performance in the Saudi Pro League was underwhelming, with only nine goals in 24 appearances.

The club's strategy shifted after Nunez's inconsistent output, leading to the acquisition of Benzema six months later. Al Hilal is now focusing on established players to strengthen their squad, indicating a departure from their initial expectations for Nunez.